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United States Patent |
5,783,147
|
Rehmeyer
,   et al.
|
July 21, 1998
|
Apparatus for and method of sterilizing medical and laboratory devices
and cleaning contaminants from contact lenses
Abstract
Apparatus for and method of sterilizing medical and laboratory devices and
cleaning contaminants from contact lenses at low voltages, the apparatus
including a housing carrying a sterilizing and cleaning well, electrodes,
appropriate controls and a power source and the method comprising the
steps of positioning a contact lens and an adsorbent so that the adsorbent
is disposed between the contact lens and an electric current source,
immersing the contact lens, the adsorbent, and the current source in a
saline or other appropriate solution, and then applying electric current
from the power source through the adsorbent and only over the surface of
the contact lens so that contaminants carried by the contact lens migrate
to the adsorbent.
Inventors:
|
Rehmeyer; Theodore H. (3411 Scarborough Dr., Winston-Salem, NC 27106);
Shultz; James R. (1267 Wiltshire Rd., York, PA 17403)
|
Appl. No.:
|
680988 |
Filed:
|
July 16, 1996 |
Current U.S. Class: |
422/22; 134/42; 134/901; 422/293; 422/300 |
Intern'l Class: |
A61L 002/02 |
Field of Search: |
422/22,23,293,301,300,105
134/1,42,901
204/180.1,299 R
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
5292372 | Mar., 1994 | Swaisgood et al. | 134/42.
|
5302345 | Apr., 1994 | Oksman et al. | 422/22.
|
5368708 | Nov., 1994 | Pankow | 422/22.
|
Primary Examiner: Warden; Robert J.
Assistant Examiner: Dawson; Elizabeth
Parent Case Text
This is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No.
08/297,125 filed Aug. 29, 1994, now abandoned.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Apparatus for sterilizing medical instruments and laboratory devices and
sterilizing and removing contaminants from contact lenses comprising: a
housing including a cleaning well; electrode means positioned within the
cleaning well; a power source for supplying electric current to the
electrode means positioned within the cleaning well; adsorbent means
disposed between the contact lens and the power source; control means for
selectively directing current flow to the electrode means; and a
predetermined quantity of conductive cleaning solution held within the
cleaning well and contiguous with the electrode means completing an
electric circuit so that the current flow will pass from the power source
through the electrode means, the cleaning solution and solely over the
surface of the lens and back to the power source.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the power source operates at
28 volts or less.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the current is within the
range of from 0.1 to 400 milliamperes.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the current is less than 20
milliamperes.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the current is within the
range of from 0.1 to 400 milliamperes.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the current is less than 20
milliamperes.
7. Apparatus for sterilizing and removing contaminants from a contact lens
comprising: a housing including a cleaning well; electrode means
positioned within the cleaning well; holding means insertable within the
cleaning well; one or more contact lens held by the holding means; a power
source for supplying electric current to the electrode means; adsorbent
disposed between the contact lens and the power source; control means for
selectively directing current flow through the determined quantity of
cleaning solution held within the cleaning well and contiguous with the
electrode means, contact lens and adsorbent means completing an electric
circuit so that the current flow will pass from the power source through
the electrode, the cleaning solution, the adsorbent means and solely over
the surface of the contact lens.
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the power source operates at
28 volts or less.
9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the current is within the
range of from 0.1 to 400 milliamperes.
10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the current is less than 20
milliamperes.
11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the current is within the
range of from 0.1 to 400 milliamperes.
12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the current is less than 20
milliamperes.
13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the control means includes
a test for continuity circuit and a power actuating means.
14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the supporting means
includes a configured lower wall within the cleaning well of sufficient
dimension to support the contact lens and adsorbent means proximate the
electrode means.
15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein the electrode means are
extended wire elements measuring in length within the range of from 5 mm
to 60 mm.
16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein the power source is one or
more batteries.
17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein the power source is a
converter for utilizing an alternating current power source.
18. A method of sterilizing and removing contaminants from a contact lens
having first and second surfaces comprising: positioning the contact lens,
an adsorbent, and an electric current source so that the adsorbent is
disposed between the contact lens and the electric current source;
immersing the contact lens, the adsorbent, and the electric current source
so disposed in a cleaning solution; and directing an electric current from
the current source through the cleaning solution, the adsorbent, and
solely over the surface of the contact lens so that contaminants carried
on the surface of the contact lens migrate to the adsorbent.
19. The method as claimed in claim 18 wherein the electric current source
flows at 28 volts or less.
20. A method according to claim 18 wherein the electric current flowing
solely over the surface of the contact lens is within the range of from
0.1 to 400 milliamperes.
21. A method according to claim 18 wherein the electric current flowing
solely over the surface of the contact lens is under 20 milliamperes.
22. A method of sterilizing and removing contaminants from a contact lens
having first and second surfaces comprising: positioning the contact lens,
an adsorbent, first and second electrodes, and a power source operating at
28 volts or less so that the adsorbent is disposed between the contact
lens and the electric current source and electrodes; immersing the contact
lens, the adsorbent, and electric current source and the electrodes so
disposed in a cleaning solution; and directing an electric current from
the current source and first electrode through the first cleaning
solution, the adsorbent and solely over the surface of the contact lens to
the second electrode so that contaminants carried by the contact lens
migrate to the adsorbent.
23. A method according to claim 22 wherein the power source electric
current flowing solely over the surface of the contact lens is within the
range of from 0.1 to 200 milliamperes.
24. A method according to claim 22 wherein the electric current flowing
over the surface of the contact lens is under 20 milliamperes.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to sterilizing medical and
laboratory devices and to sterilizing and cleaning contact lenses and more
particularly to an apparatus for sterilizing medical and laboratory
devices and an apparatus and method for cleaning contaminants from contact
lenses.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Sterilization of medical instruments used in the offices of doctors,
dentists and veterinarians and of equipment used by laboratories is
usually accomplished by the use of autoclaves wherein those items are
subjected to intense heat to kill all bacteria that may be associated with
them. Autoclaves come in varying sizes to accommodate instruments of
varying sizes and are sometimes complex and usually expensive. Utilizing
such sterilization equipment involves high power consumption as well as
lengthy time exposure of the instruments within the equipment to assure
complete sterilization.
In some instances, equipment of this nature can be cleaned chemically by
spraying with appropriate disinfectants to remove bacteria associated
therewith. Again, the compounds utilized to effect such cleaning are
expensive and involve lengthy procedures during their application to again
ensure complete sterilization of the devices.
Contact lenses present a unique medical or healthcare device which require
sterilizing and cleaning on a regular basis in order to ensure continued
effective and comfortable use. The presence of contaminants on the surface
of such lenses directly affect the comfort and utilization of these
objects. Most of these contaminants are proteins produced by the eyes,
tear ducts, and eyelids for lubrication and protection of optic tissues.
These materials accumulate on the surface and interior of the lens to form
microscopic protrusions which irritate and inflame the cornea and eyelid,
thereby causing discomfort.
Several methods of removing these contaminants have been used including
washing the accumulated protein from the lens surface with a mild
detergent and utilizing a solution of proteolytic enzyme which digests the
protein molecules. Neither have been totally satisfactory since the
detergents can damage the lens and the proteolytic enzyme solution fails
to obtain complete protein removal.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,921,544 (Cowle et al.), the contact lens is placed in an
electrophoretic solution within a container and an electric field is
applied to the solution through two electrodes in the solution which
causes charged protein molecules attached to the lens to migrate to the
oppositely charged electrodes. While this method represents an improvement
in the art, proteins migrating to the electrode must overcome a diffusion
gradient created by the migration which tends to drive proteins from the
electrode into the solution and thereby permits some of the free proteins
to return to the lens.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,965 (Pankow), electrodes are immersed in solution
baths external to the lens, and current is provided to the lens by a
transmission means which rests on the lens surface. Application of the
electrical current causes contaminants to migrate from the center of the
lens to its surface. From this point, the contaminants are then removed
from the lens surface or from the electrochemical transmission means by
wiping.
Thus, while instrument sterilization has been effetively utilized over the
years, there is a continued need to develop procedures within sterilizing
such instruments with less expensive equipment and for shorter durations
of time. Moreover, numerous methods have been utilized to accomplish
contact lens cleaning, and though improvements have been made, there is
still a need for improvement to provide more thorough cleaning and to
avoid wearer discomfort associated with the process. It is to these needs
that the present invention is directed.
OBJECTIVES AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an objective of the present invention to provide an apparatus for
sterilizing medical devices and laboratory equipment utilizing low
voltages and low current flow at levels not previously believed to be
feasible.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for
sterilizing medical and laboratory devices utilizing a cleaning well,
electrodes and a power source which is simple in construction and
economical to use.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for
cleaning contaminants from contact lenses utilizing a cleaning well,
electrodes, controls and a power source and which can be made small enough
to be carried conveniently by the user as a portable device.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide a method of
cleaning contaminants from contact lenses which overcomes the problems
associated with the equilibrium of electrochemical and diffusion
gradients.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide an
electroblotting method of cleaning contact lenses which eliminates the
need for wiping protein from the lens after the application of electric
current.
Yet still another objective of the present invention is to provide a
simple, inexpensive, and easily manufactured apparatus for commercial
production and to utilize a simple and uncomplicated method for operating
such device.
These objectives and others are satisfied by the present invention which is
in part an apparatus for sterilizing medical and laboratory devices at low
voltages, in part an apparatus for sterilizing and cleaning contaminants
from contact lenses at low voltages, and finally an apparatus and method
of cleaning contaminants from contact lenses by positioning the lens, an
adsorbent and power source so that the adsorbent is disposed between the
contact lens and the power source and so that current passes only over the
surface of the lens. In the sterilizing apparatus, current is dispersed
through a solution, which can be any known saline or other suitable
solution for cleaning; however, the concentration of current is shaped by
the electrodes in a path available to the current to flow between the
electrodes. Current flow carries the charged protein articles carried by
the lenses toward the oppositely charged electrodes which path forces the
proteins to encounter the adsorbent where they are captured and removed.
Thus there has been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features
of the invention in order that the detailed description that follows may
be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art
may be better appreciated. There are obviously additional features of the
invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the
subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before
explaining several embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be
understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the
details of construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth
in the following description. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.
It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology herein are
for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting in
any respect. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the concept upon
which this disclosure is based and that it may readily be utilized as a
basis for designing other structures, methods and systems for carrying out
the several purposes of this development. It is important that the claims
be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do
not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Thus the enumerated objectives and others identified hereinafter along with
the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are
pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part
of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its
operating advantages and the specific objects obtained by its use,
reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of an apparatus for cleaning
contaminants from one or more contact lenses comprising the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is an end elevational sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1
taken along line 2--2 in which has been positioned two contact lenses and
an adsorbent;
FIG. 3 is a side elevational sectional view of the device shown in FIGS. 1
and 2;
FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the device shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3;
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the circuit used in the apparatus shown in
FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4;
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the adsorbent utilized in the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the adsorbent holder of FIG. 6 folded
to accommodate the adsorbent and one or more lenses therein;
FIG. 8 is a side elevational and sectional view of another embodiment of an
apparatus for cleaning contaminants from one or more contact lenses
comprising the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a plan view of the embodiments shown in FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of an adsorbent
holder utilized in the present invention;
FIG. 11 is a plan view of the holder shown in FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is an end elevational view of the holder shown in FIGS. 10 and 11;
FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the holder shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12;
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of the circuit used in the embodiment shown
in FIGS. 9 and 10; and
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a well utilized to sterilize medical and
laboratory devices having electrodes and adapted to retain a quantity of
saline or other suitable solution all forming the sterilization apparatus
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now first to the apparatus for cleaning lenses and particularly
to FIG. 1, the apparatus includes a housing shown generally as 10 having
within its upper surface 12 a cleaning well 14 which is configured to
accommodate and support one or more adsorbents or filters 16 between which
are positioned lenses 18 to be cleaned. Well 14 functions to hold these
elements by having a lower recessed portion 20 and offers easy access for
the user by reason of an expanding upper portion 22 sufficiently wide to
accommodate the user's two fingers holding and subsequently inserting and
removing adsorbent holder 46, adsorbent 16 and lens 18.
Suitable control circuitry shown generally as 24 is retained within housing
10 and operates in response to the actuation of control switches 26, 28
and 30. A suitable power source can be a commonly utilized converter or
rectifier 32 converting 120 volts ac to operating dc voltages of 28 volts
or less or a suitable battery 34 which is commonly available. The power
source selection jack 36 connects the internal battery or the external
power supply to the balance of the circuit. The off/on switch 26, 28
disconnects the power source from the balance of the circuitry upon
actuation. A test switch 30 verifies the active state of the circuit by
activating light emitting diode 38 when depressed. A constant current
regulator 40 insures a uniform current flow at all times no matter what
input voltage variations or solution resistances occur. Electrodes 42 are
positioned low in well 14 (FIG. 2) to insure maximum current flow through
the solution 44, through the holes in the adsorbent holder, through the
adsorbent and around lens 46, 16, 18.
An alternative apparatus utilizing the present inventive concept for
cleaning contact lenses is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. A cleaning well shown
generally as 50 having a circular exterior and a cylindrically shaped
interior is suitably configured to accommodate and support one or more
adsorbents or transfer membranes (not shown) between which are positioned
lenses to be cleaned. Well 50 is used with a housing similar to that
previously described. The well interior has recesses 52 which engage the
edges 54 of adsorbent holder 56 shown generally as 56 in FIGS. 10-13.
Ridges 52 hold holder 56 in position and in a manner so as to secure
lenses between front and back surfaces 58. These surfaces 58 can be opened
to receive the adsorbent material and the lens, then closed to maintain
them securely within and thereafter enable holder 56 to be inserted into
well 50 and be engaged within recesses 52. Opening 60 in walls 58 give
maximum exposure to the adsorbent material and encapsulated lens.
Alternative and simplified circuitry for the present invention is shown in
FIG. 14. The '115 vac line voltage is full wave rectified and filtered in
the power supply 62. The rectified output of 28 volts or less can be
connected directly to well 50, and the unit can be operated from this
supply. However, the '115 vac supply need not be utilized, and the
assembly can be operated from the self-contained battery supply 64. In
either mode of operation, the "turn-on" command is received from the
conduction between electrodes 66, 68. Thus, when cleaning solution 70 is
placed in well 50, current begins to flow between electrodes 66, 68, which
current is detected in the current control regulator 72, thus turning on
the unit.
The programmable current control module 72 maintains the desired current
through the cleaning solution 80 independent of the solution resistance as
well as through varying battery voltage conditions. The output voltage
from the current control module 72 is monitored by the operate/low voltage
detector circuit 74. When sufficient power is available from battery
supply 64, the operate LED (Light Emitting Diode) 76 illuminates and
provides a turn-on command to current control module 72.
When insufficient power is available from battery supply 64, the low
voltage LED 76 will illuminate and prevent operation. Also incorporated in
the system is a timer circuit 82 which determines the operation time for
the entire system. When the lens cleaning cycle is completed, or slightly
thereafter, timer circuit 82 activates to de-energize the unit which
enhances the life of the battery.
The circuit system is formed from a composite of several integrated
circuits that provide high reliability, size and cost savings, and easy
replacement of components.
The method for removing contaminants from contact lenses comprising a part
of the present invention relies on principles of electroblotting, a
process wherein electric current is applied to a substrate which contains
ionic material. Individual charged molecules are attracted by and migrate
to an electrode or other charged device. In the present invention, the
materials removed by the current are proteins and other contaminants
retained on contact lenses which, upon the application of current, migrate
toward the electrically charged device. The contaminants are then trapped
by an adsorbent having an affinity therefor which retains the
contaminants. The contaminant laden adsorbent is then discarded. The
cleaned lens is then ready for reinsertion by the wearer after rinsing in
saline solution.
The method is suitable for use with single or multiple contact lenses
immersed in saline or other solution. Suitable lenses include lenses which
remain rigid when contacted with water ("hard" contact lenses and
"gas-permeable" contact lenses) such as those formed from polymers of
polymethyl-methacrylate, silicone methacrylate, methacryloxyalkylsiloxane,
methaclylopolsiloxane, methacrylate fluoropolymers, acrylamide, and
copolymers thereof, and lenses which form a gel upon water absorption
("soft lenses") such as those formed from hydroxyethyl methacrylate, vinyl
dyrrolidone, cellulose acetate butyrate, and copolymers thereof. Lenses
which are removed and cleaned daily and lenses which can be worn for weeks
or longer between removal and cleaning are suitable.
The choice of an adsorbent or filter used to form the lensadsorbent contact
is not critical so long as protein and other contaminants of the lens will
adhere. Exemplary adsorbents include polymer membranes, such as PVDP, and
cellulosic papers, such as nitrocellulose. Because generally the bulk of
contaminants on the lens are proteins, it is preferred that the material
comprising the adsorbent contain a free chemical substituent which has a
higher affinity for protein, such as an amino, nitro, or carboxyl group. A
preferred adsorbent is nitrocellulose membrane, available from Pharmacia
Biotechnology located in Piscataway, N.J.
Any configuration wherein the adsorbent is disposed between the lens and
the electrically charged device is suitable for use with the method. The
adsorbent can be of any shape which permits it to be disposed between the
electrically charged device and the lens. It can be flat, folded, arcuate,
or multi-arcuate. It can be circular, oval, elliptical, square or any
other polygonal shape. The relative positioning of the adsorbent to the
lens insures that any contaminant migrating from the lens will immediately
be trapped in the adsorbent and will not remain in the solution where
potentially it could return to the lens surface. Once trapped in the
adsorbent, the adsorbent contaminants are unaffected by the equilibrium
phenomenon created by the diffusion gradient and the electrochemical
gradient described above and are thus not free to return to the lens
surface. Preferably the adsorbent is sized to completely cover the contact
lens.
Preferably the adsorbent articles are disposable. Disposability alleviates
the need for cleaning the adsorbent after use which use which is preferred
since the use of a new adsorbent with each cleaning minimizes the risk of
contamination of the lens or infection to the wearer.
The choice of solution is not critical, and any known saline or other
suitable solution for cleaning or soaking contact lenses is acceptable.
Exemplary saline solutions can include boric acid, sodium borate, sodium
chloride, ascorbic acid, and edentate disodium. The pH of the saline
solution should be adjusted so that it does not coincide with the
isoelectric point of the protein contaminants; otherwise the contaminants
would have no electrical charge and thus would not migrate from the lens
surface. It is also preferred that the saline solution be buffered to
provide a constant pH solution to insure that migrating proteins will
maintain their charge during migration. The concentration of the solution
is not critical; however, a dilute saline solution is preferred for rapid
migration of contaminants as an increased ionic concentration in the
saline solution will provide additional ions which competitively carry
electric current with contaminant migrants.
The step of applying an electric current to the solution containing the
lens can be carried out in any manner which causes current to pass along
the surface of the lens itself. Generally, the current is supplied by
electrodes immersed in the solution itself like those described
previously. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any means of
supplying current to the lens which cause the contaminant thereon to
ionize and migrate to a charge device is suitable. When immersed
electrodes are used, they are preferably placed so that the current flows
over as much of the surface area of the lens as possible. In a preferred
orientation, orientation, electrodes are placed on opposite sides of the
lens so the current flowing between the electrodes flows substantially
perpendicular to an axis extending through the diametric center of the
lens. The electrodes are also preferably configured so as to provide a
constant current density across the lens area to facilitate removal of
protein. Current flow is directed towards the lens.
Manufacturers use a variety of plastic materials in the construction of
lenses. The electrical resistance of plastic lenses ranges from 10 million
ohms to near infinity. The cleaning process occurs because current flow is
around the lens dislodging proteins attached to the lens. At 5 volts
applied to a 10 meg ohm resistance, the current through the resistor,
would be about 0.5 microamperes. That is about 0.001% of the current
recommended to move protein by one adsorbent material manufacturer. Its
recommendation is 0.8 milliamps/cm.sup.2 of protein removal area which
equates to about 4 milliamps for two lenses. Thus the process of removing
protein from lenses occurs because electric current is flowing around and
over the lenses and is of sufficient magnitude to cause the proteins to
move off the lens and into the conductive fluid where movement is then
directed toward and against the adsorbent.
The amount of current directed toward the lens in the appropriate solution
can be any level which causes protein molecules to migrate toward the
oppositely charged electrode. For convenience to the user, the current
level should be such that it can be provided by a household power source
such as 120 volt electrical outlet supplying a rectifier to obtain 28
volts dc or less or by one or more household batteries. Also, the current
level should be sufficiently high that substantially all of the protein
migration occurs within a time period in which the wearer can conveniently
function without wearing the lenses. A preferred current level which would
satisfy these criteria is between about 0.1 and 200 milliamperes with a
more preferred current level being under 20 milliamperes. It is also
contemplated that the method may be used outside the home by commercial
entities that would clean lenses while the wearer waits.
The apparatus and method forming a part of the present invention for
removing contaminants from contact lenses has been found to have a broader
application. For example, in the medical and laboratory fields, it can be
successfully used to sterilize medical and laboratory devices normally
sterilizable only through the use of expensive and power-consuming
autoclave equipment in very short periods of time at low voltage (28 volts
or less) utilizing a current within the range of from 0.1 to 400
milliamperes. Passing a current within this range at such low voltage
through a suitable saline or other appropriate solution has been found
extremely effective in killing bacteria in surprisingly short periods of
time. For example, it has been found effective to pass 10 milliamperes of
current through a solution in which are placed contaminated medical
instruments for less than 10 minutes to remove essentially all bacteria.
It has also been found that lowering current levels to 5 milliamperes or
even 1 milliampere only increases the minimum defection time by a factor
of three. It appears from test data that exposing contaminated instruments
to any low current level at this low voltage is more than adequate to
completely disinfect or sterilize those instruments. obviously the use of
such low voltage essentially eliminates any electrical hazard.
The well used for disinfecting is shown generally in FIG. 15 as 98 wherein
electrodes 100, 102 are positioned on the interior surfaces so as to be in
direct contact with solution 104 placed therein. A circuit similar to that
shown in FIG. 14 is quite acceptable to operate the apparatus.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many variations may be
made in the apparatus and method of the present invention without
departing from the spirit and scope thereof. While the apparatus and
method in accordance with the invention has been specifically exemplified
in the foregoing, it will be understood that the example is for the
purpose of illustration and that modifications are contemplated. The
invention is defined by the following claims with equivalents to the
claims to be included therein.
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